How to make Ubuntu 10.04 go to full screen in Virtualbox?

Ubuntu full screen in Virtualbox?

Simple! It's not just a matter of Right Ctrl + F. If you want to go to full screen in any VirtualBox you need to install the guest additions. But in this case, you need to install the VBoxLinuxAdditions.

Note: I am using VirtualBox Version 3.2.4 during this demonstration

Here's a step by step process to install the Linux Guest Additions.
1.) Start your Ubuntu Virtualbox and login your root username and password. Make sure that you have no mounted device in your CD/DVD Devices. Devices > CD/DVD Devices. If you have, then unmount it by clicking the part that has a check mark before the image name.

2.) Hit Right Ctrl in your keyboard, this will enable you to click on the toolbars in your Virtualbox. Now go to Devices > Install Guest Additions ... or you can just hit Right Ctrl + D. This will create an image file (iso) and mount it automatically in your CD/DVD Devices. (If you will be asked to enter your root password and or username. Just input it.)

3.) In your Ubuntu machine, go to Places and click VBOXADDITIONS_3.2.4_62467. I added this step, because sometimes Autorun will not start.

4.) Open your Terminal by going to Applications > Administratives > Terminal. Type this instructions.

() cd /media/VBOXADDITIONS_3.2.4_62467/
- notice that I didn't use cd /media/cdrom/ - this won't work of course.
() sudo bash ./VBoxLinuxAdditions-x86.run (for 32bit system)
or
sudo bash ./VBoxLinuxAdditions-amd64.run (for 64bit system)
() type your password. (you must be root)

Just wait until it displays done, and that's it. You're done on how-to make Ubuntu 10.04 go to full screen in Virtualbox.

Restart your Ubuntu Virtual Machine. Navigate to System > Preferences > Monitors and choose the highest resolution. Now hit Right Ctrl + F or go to (VBOX) Machine > Enter Full Screen Mode. ^_^

Your Ubuntu is now full screen in Virtualbox.

All the snapshots used here are mine.
Ubuntu logo from: http://alexp0205.files.wordpress.com

22 Comments

Vijay

July 16, 2010 at 7:29 PM | Permalink

Thanks for posting, It worked for me

/Vijay

Jin Maning

July 16, 2010 at 9:58 PM | Permalink

Hello Vijay,

I am glad to know that I helped you.
Visit me back again :D

Jin

Anil

October 12, 2010 at 7:41 PM | Permalink

you can also do this:
inside Ubuntu in the VBox, open a terminal and type:

sudo apt-get install virtualbox-ose-guest-*

October 12, 2010 at 11:45 PM | Permalink

thank you for that Anil!

yrch

October 16, 2010 at 6:08 AM | Permalink

thank you Anil, your solution works perfectly !

October 16, 2010 at 7:18 AM | Permalink

@yrch: I agree. It's the easiest way.

October 16, 2010 at 7:20 AM | Permalink

If you are connected to the internet you can use the solution that Anil gave. But if you are not connected to the internet, mine's the perfect solution.

n/a

November 10, 2010 at 1:28 PM | Permalink

Thank you good sir. Worked like a charm. :)

November 10, 2010 at 2:43 PM | Permalink

@Jerry: You're Welcome!

Unknown

January 12, 2011 at 3:48 AM | Permalink

Thank you very much
you are a life saver

January 12, 2011 at 7:13 AM | Permalink

Hi Maxis,

No Problem at all. Thanks for visiting.

Best Regards,

Jin

arisandersons

January 15, 2011 at 11:27 PM | Permalink

Thanks!

January 16, 2011 at 9:32 AM | Permalink

Hi Arisa,

You're welcome! :)

Jin

sonusikka

January 22, 2011 at 5:36 PM | Permalink

hi ,
I followd all steps and also that ./VBoxLinuxAdditions-x86.run file was also successfully executed as per ur screenshot and then i restarted and full screen still gave me only 800x600 resolution only!!
what shud i do ??

January 22, 2011 at 5:40 PM | Permalink

Hi sonusikka,

... Navigate to System > Preferences > Monitors and choose the highest resolution. Now hit Right Ctrl + F or go to (VBOX) Machine > Enter Full Screen Mode. ^_^

Let me know if it works!

Jin